CELEBRATING 92 YEARS
Arizona’s Original Guest Ranch

Open for guests from
October 29, 2017 – April 29, 2018

At Circle Z Ranch, we welcome guests to the traditions and beauty of our historic property. We create unique, all- inclusive dude ranch vacations for guests of all ages and horseback riding abilities. Nestled in the heart of Southern Arizona’s Sky Islands, we have thousands of acres of the most scenic horseback riding trails in Arizona. Guided by expert wranglers, you will experience unspoiled landscapes rich in scenery; grasslands, canyons, and mountain ranges rising suddenly and dramatically out of the desert lowlands. Distinct to our ranch property is the protected and ever-flowing Sonoita Creek, creating a lush riparian oasis. Our diverse landscape has been the setting for many Western Movies.

Our main ranch property is home to our historic cottages, our main lodge, and a variety of amenities and activities for your enjoyment. At our Creek Ranch property, 30 minutes by horse from the main ranch, we have facilities for horse gymkhana games, and the lush setting for our cookouts. Our newly added Z Bar property, a short ride from the ranch, is the setting for cookouts and rodeos, with beautiful arenas and spectacular views.

Delicious, mouthwatering meals will be a hallmark of your stay. Prepared in our kitchens using fresh and local ingredients, we guarantee our buffet offerings at all three meals daily will leave you more than satisfied.

At the end of the day, you will relax in one of our seven adobe cottages, meticulously detailed for your stay. We have accommodations for singles, couples and families, all furnished in colorful southwestern decor.

Owned and operated by the Nash family since 1976, our down to earth style is reflected in our friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Throughout your stay, you will also be hosted by the Lorta family, who have been helping to care for the ranch for forty years. Whether traveling alone, with family or with friends, you will quickly be part of our Circle Z family.

For our riding program to go smoothly, and for our guests to have the very best ranch experience, your stay will be from Sunday to Sunday or from Sunday to Thursday. The Sunday to Thursday option does include the ride and lunch on Thursday. Our riding program is exclusively for the guests staying with us in our all-inclusive vacation packages. We do not offer hourly or day rides to folks not staying at the ranch.

Please take some time to preview our featured video. The content portrays what you will experience at the ranch, from the genuine hospitality to the stunning scenery.

Featured Video

Horseback Riding

We offer a variety of rides. Your first ride will be a walking ride, so you can adjust to your horse. From there, our riding program for the week will be created based on the desires and abilities of our guests. On a typical week, we offer a cookout ride on Wednesday, a chuck wagon ride on Saturdays, and another day of either a valley ride or an all day adventure. The other days are a 2-3 hour morning ride, and a 2 hour afternoon ride with lunch at the main ranch. Our horses take Sundays off, so no riding that day. To experience our variety in the riding program, a Sunday to Sunday vacation stay is ideal. We also offer a Sunday to Thursday Ranch Sampler if a shorter stay is desired.

Horseback Riding Lessons

All our wranglers are expert equestrians, and a big part of the ranch experience of which we take pride is teaching our guests how to ride and care for horses. Read More

Cookout Ride

This ride is another all day excursion from the ranch. Join our wranglers on a 2-3 hour ride leading to distant canyons, and ending at our Creek Ranch location. Read More

Chuckwagon Ride

On Saturdays, we head out for our popular chuck wagon ride. Starting at the ranch, guests ride along one of our many trails, and descend on our chuck wagon area for a barbeque lunch.Read More

Walking & Loping Rides

All of our trails have areas that are suited for walking, trotting or loping. One of our strengths is that we can cater our riding groups to the needs and skills of our guests.Read More

Lodging

Seven historic Spanish-style adobe guest cottages dot the plateau on which the Circle Z lies. Accommodations vary from individual rooms to suites with living rooms or entirely private cottages, each reflecting …

Testimonials

It is our second time in circle z, and we LOVE the ranch. It is a kind of ranch that is for real riders, everybody enjoy being on a horse and after a few days, after creating lots of friends we are having lots of fun. George and Jennie (the managers) are SUPER and always smily. The trails are gorgeous and unlimited.Read Full Review

I have spent two weeks every January at the Circle Z Ranch for the past 15 years. I go with my best friend to ride in picture perfect terrain, on very well trained horses for riders of all levels. The wranglers are amazing, bubbling in personality and warmth every day. Every ride is unique, gorgeous and inspiring. The Nash and Lorta Families insure that every guest feels welcomed and special.Read Full Review

There are no words to truly describe how happy we are with the week of celebration our family of 20 enjoyed at Circle Z Ranch in December. The staff was exemplary in anticipating our needs and accommodating the multiple comings and goings. As always, the living arrangements and housekeeping were excellent.Read Full Review